At the beach we should be wearing shorts but some of us are selling short.
An article caught my eye in the news scroll at the top of this blog page. I know this is a slight diversion from the original intention of this blog, but I feel that the subject is important to a lot of us who live here at the beach. Although the author focuses on home values dropping particularly at the beach, she provided a link to some helpful information that I also want to share with all of you.
According to the article, upwards of 52 percent of recent home sales are homes being sold through bank sales (foreclosures) and short sales. If you happen to find yourself in this situation (and my heart goes out to you if you do) this information might help. There is a "Short Sale Seller Advisory" guide provided by NEFAR (Northeast Florida Associations of Realtors) which can give insight into "some of the issues and risks associated with short sales and provides resources and considerations that may be beneficial to you in making decisions regarding your home." For what it's worth, if you are facing possible foreclosure or a short sale (and I truly hope not one person reading this actually needs this guide), it might help you think things through.
I am grateful and so appreciative to be in my home. It's my dream beach house. I realize though that it's not so much the house, but where it is. I live in paradise. The only way it could be more perfect would be if I lived directly on the beach and could fall asleep with the windows open to the sound of crashing waves. The ultimate dream! I know that if I ever did find myself in the situation of having to sell my home, I'd do my best to stay here at the beach--a small apartment, roommates, just a roof over my head on this side of the ditch...yes, I'm spoiled. I would so miss the ocean breeze and laid back lifestyle.
Please use the comment section below if you have any other resources to share regarding getting through a short sale/foreclosure or if you have a story of your own that might help someone else.
I know the economy will turn around...but I wish it would hurry up! How many of us are just hanging on? It has made me focus on being grateful for what I do have.
From the song "Soak Up The Sun" by Sheryl Crow...
It's not having what you want. It's wanting what you've got.
Beach. Happiness. I've got it.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Window Shopping
So my plan for Sunday morning was to get up early and treat myself to a fresh donut for breakfast. How disappointed was I to learn that Cinotti's is closed on Sunday. I guess it makes sense. They're not just a donut shop but more of a traditional bakery with commercial clients as well. They deserve a day off too! So I just had my regular ol' Sunday morning breakfast-in-bed of coffee (yes, with the espresso added!) and orange juice, a bagel with whipped cream cheese, and a sliced nectarine. I make an effort on weekend mornings to use extra pretty plates and set a "beautiful tray" (I have a wicker and steel tray I love) that I bring back to bed with me. Mmmmm...coffee and anything baked, my favorite breakfast!
So Monday morning rolls around and I'm still thinking about the donut for breakfast but the craving isn't quite as strong. Not strong enough to motivate me to go get one. Maybe it's just because it's not the weekend anymore and somehow I don't think I'll enjoy it enough? Today I do my uneventful bran flakes with berries, soy milk and coffee. TMI?
I was really excited when I thought about Cinotti's on Saturday because I had forgotten about them. When I first moved here they were legend. That was when they were still in the old corner location on 1st Avenue S. Now they've moved to Penman Road. Well, since apparently donuts are only a weekend treat to me, I plan on going "window shopping" to just look at all the pastries and find out about what the famous beaches bakery has been up to. I'll let you know.
Are there any Cinotti's regulars out there that want to share about a favorite cake or specialty? I heard something about their vanilla cakes?
So Monday morning rolls around and I'm still thinking about the donut for breakfast but the craving isn't quite as strong. Not strong enough to motivate me to go get one. Maybe it's just because it's not the weekend anymore and somehow I don't think I'll enjoy it enough? Today I do my uneventful bran flakes with berries, soy milk and coffee. TMI?
I was really excited when I thought about Cinotti's on Saturday because I had forgotten about them. When I first moved here they were legend. That was when they were still in the old corner location on 1st Avenue S. Now they've moved to Penman Road. Well, since apparently donuts are only a weekend treat to me, I plan on going "window shopping" to just look at all the pastries and find out about what the famous beaches bakery has been up to. I'll let you know.
Are there any Cinotti's regulars out there that want to share about a favorite cake or specialty? I heard something about their vanilla cakes?
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Coffee. Donuts.
My dog woke up with the sun. I swear, she thinks she's a rooster. My old dog thought he was a cat. Canine identity crises in this house. Is there a storm coming? The sky was all gray and kinda eerie when I took little miss rooster-beagle out to do her thing. Fed her. Slowly, my mind started warming up to being functional. "Mmmmm....coffee." And right in behind that thought was "MMMMM....donuts!"
Now I make a pot of coffee most every morning. It drips into a thermal carafe and stays fresh so, no, I don't drink the whole pot EVERY day. And yes, I will heat up left over coffee in the microwave the next day--c'mon, admit it, a lot of people do. Anyway, there's something special about coffee on the weekends. It tastes better. It's more enjoyable. It's the same exact coffee (well sometimes I add extra espresso on Sundays) but somehow on the weekend it tastes richer...it feels like a luxury.
Having the time to enjoy it is a luxury.
So where do I go at the beach for coffee? To be honest, I'd rather make my own coffee. I've never been a real fan of Starbucks in any town and somehow here at the beach it seems out of place. It's not that I don't like the chain, I just don't think it has anything that special. I do miss Shelby's Coffee Shop--not so much for coffee, but for lunch and a place to stop for just a little more conversation after dinner out. I've gotta go find out what business is there now. I love that little shopping plaza during the summer when they have live music in the courtyard at night. THAT's worth checking out.
There are several new and old coffee shops around the beach that I've never been to and now I have an excuse to go. I'll let you know. There IS a coffee place that I have gone to more than any other out here. It's on 3rd Street between 10th & 11th Avenues S. Do you know where I mean? Yep, it's the drive-through place--Cuppy's. I just realized that even thinking about driving up and ordering a coffee there makes me smile. The staff is always so friendly, they usually have an interesting brew (I don't go for the fancy carmel-machiatto-half-fat-latte-double-shot-flip-flop-aulait-no-foams, although Cuppy's does have those) and it's under two bucks! And they put the CUTEST stickers over the drinking hole in the lid! I kept the baseball one on the dash in my car for the longest time. It made me smile.
Well, I never got to the "Donuts" part of this post. I'll save that for tomorrow. Let me just say...Cinotti's.
Now I make a pot of coffee most every morning. It drips into a thermal carafe and stays fresh so, no, I don't drink the whole pot EVERY day. And yes, I will heat up left over coffee in the microwave the next day--c'mon, admit it, a lot of people do. Anyway, there's something special about coffee on the weekends. It tastes better. It's more enjoyable. It's the same exact coffee (well sometimes I add extra espresso on Sundays) but somehow on the weekend it tastes richer...it feels like a luxury.
Having the time to enjoy it is a luxury.
So where do I go at the beach for coffee? To be honest, I'd rather make my own coffee. I've never been a real fan of Starbucks in any town and somehow here at the beach it seems out of place. It's not that I don't like the chain, I just don't think it has anything that special. I do miss Shelby's Coffee Shop--not so much for coffee, but for lunch and a place to stop for just a little more conversation after dinner out. I've gotta go find out what business is there now. I love that little shopping plaza during the summer when they have live music in the courtyard at night. THAT's worth checking out.
There are several new and old coffee shops around the beach that I've never been to and now I have an excuse to go. I'll let you know. There IS a coffee place that I have gone to more than any other out here. It's on 3rd Street between 10th & 11th Avenues S. Do you know where I mean? Yep, it's the drive-through place--Cuppy's. I just realized that even thinking about driving up and ordering a coffee there makes me smile. The staff is always so friendly, they usually have an interesting brew (I don't go for the fancy carmel-machiatto-half-fat-latte-double-shot-flip-flop-aulait-no-foams, although Cuppy's does have those) and it's under two bucks! And they put the CUTEST stickers over the drinking hole in the lid! I kept the baseball one on the dash in my car for the longest time. It made me smile.
Well, I never got to the "Donuts" part of this post. I'll save that for tomorrow. Let me just say...Cinotti's.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
To Lu or Not To Lu
Made plans to meet up with an old friend tonight for drinks and dinner. No doubt where I wanted to go--TacoLu Baja Mexicana!! The thing is, that the last two times I tried to go there, it didn't work out. Actually, there have been three times that I didn't make it to "The Lu." The first was a few months ago. Similar situation...meeting up with a girlfriend I hadn't seen in a long time. I'm on my way there and she calls me, "They're closed." I'm like "No way!" "Yep, it doesn't look like there's anybody here at all. No lights on..." Monday. Monday. Monday. TacoLu is closed on Mondays.
I think the reason I like TacoLu so much (other than the food is amazing!) is because it is casual, but not boring. There's the bright-colored decor, noisy hum of conversations in the bar and dining room, energetic waitstaff--friendly, friendly, friendly (they all seem really happy to be working there) and of course, knowing that I'm gonna get a delicious meal whether I just order a couple of fish tacos or try something new.
So anyway, the next time I missed out on a meal there was on May 5th. Ring a bell? May 5th at a Mexican restaurant. Maybe if I had gone at 2pm, but at 5:30...forget it. People were flooding the parking lot waiting to get in. I'm sure it was a good party that night, but I'm too old and I was HUNGRY. (So I ate English fish 'n chips in an Irish pub for Cinco de Mayo.)
Recently, it was after a long day on the beach; One of those Saturdays where you bake in the sun (ya, ya, I know--bad for you) and then float in the ocean, and repeat sun, water, sun, water. Showered, twisted my wet hair into a knot, threw on a sundress and BBFE (best boyfriend ever) and I headed over to the Lu. The problem was that we ate a late breakfast and no lunch so now it's about 6:30 and we're STARVING! Well, we did find a place to park, but the wait was 30-40 minutes and we knew we'd never make it. I don't even remember where we ate that night, but anything would have been a let down after anticipating my favorite shrimp all afternoon.
But tonight, felicidad--happiness! We met at six and were seated right away. (I was a little worried because there was a write-up in the paper today about the Lu.) I didn't need to look at the menu, I knew what I wanted. Been thinking about it all day. Baja Salad with Bangin' Shrimp. Just order it. "Roasted corn, crisp green beans, poblano chiles (for a little heat) served on a bed of mixed greens with our home-made Cilantro-Lime Vinaigrette"--$6.99; add Bangin' Shrimp $4.00 (You also have other choices for add-ons.) It's FRESH, cool, with a bit of a kick from the chopped chiles, and a dressing that is refreshing. That's the way I always describe the salad to people, "Refreshing." My friend ordered Bangin' Shrimp tacos, which she liked, but when my salad came, she looked at it and said, "I want THAT." It's my favorite--can't see that ever changin'. I wanna keep this "restaurante y cantina" a Beaches secret, but afraid it's too late for that...rumors of a second location?
Muchas gracias TacoLu!
I think the reason I like TacoLu so much (other than the food is amazing!) is because it is casual, but not boring. There's the bright-colored decor, noisy hum of conversations in the bar and dining room, energetic waitstaff--friendly, friendly, friendly (they all seem really happy to be working there) and of course, knowing that I'm gonna get a delicious meal whether I just order a couple of fish tacos or try something new.
So anyway, the next time I missed out on a meal there was on May 5th. Ring a bell? May 5th at a Mexican restaurant. Maybe if I had gone at 2pm, but at 5:30...forget it. People were flooding the parking lot waiting to get in. I'm sure it was a good party that night, but I'm too old and I was HUNGRY. (So I ate English fish 'n chips in an Irish pub for Cinco de Mayo.)
Recently, it was after a long day on the beach; One of those Saturdays where you bake in the sun (ya, ya, I know--bad for you) and then float in the ocean, and repeat sun, water, sun, water. Showered, twisted my wet hair into a knot, threw on a sundress and BBFE (best boyfriend ever) and I headed over to the Lu. The problem was that we ate a late breakfast and no lunch so now it's about 6:30 and we're STARVING! Well, we did find a place to park, but the wait was 30-40 minutes and we knew we'd never make it. I don't even remember where we ate that night, but anything would have been a let down after anticipating my favorite shrimp all afternoon.
But tonight, felicidad--happiness! We met at six and were seated right away. (I was a little worried because there was a write-up in the paper today about the Lu.) I didn't need to look at the menu, I knew what I wanted. Been thinking about it all day. Baja Salad with Bangin' Shrimp. Just order it. "Roasted corn, crisp green beans, poblano chiles (for a little heat) served on a bed of mixed greens with our home-made Cilantro-Lime Vinaigrette"--$6.99; add Bangin' Shrimp $4.00 (You also have other choices for add-ons.) It's FRESH, cool, with a bit of a kick from the chopped chiles, and a dressing that is refreshing. That's the way I always describe the salad to people, "Refreshing." My friend ordered Bangin' Shrimp tacos, which she liked, but when my salad came, she looked at it and said, "I want THAT." It's my favorite--can't see that ever changin'. I wanna keep this "restaurante y cantina" a Beaches secret, but afraid it's too late for that...rumors of a second location?
Muchas gracias TacoLu!
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Cover to Cover
I love our library! Here's the thing. I used to go there ALL the time when my kids were little (way pre-internet days for researching). But even then, I never used to go for me.
I was watching an episode (no, I think it was the movie--the first one, didn't see the second--nor did I want to) of "Sex in the City." There's a scene when Carrie's in bed with Big reading. He says something like "Are you the last person in New York still taking out library books?" She answers, "I love the smell..." The book cover crinkles. That scene had been floating around in the back of my mind for quite awhile. I kept picturing her smelling the book & the sound that the pages made when she turned them--quite romantic.
So the next time I heard about a book I wanted to read, instead of buying it, I actually went to the library to see if they had it. They didn't. I had to reserve it. There were a gazillion people on the waiting list, BUT it turns out that there were a ton of copies and my wait wasn't that long. Either got a text message or email when it was available and they held it for me. And it was the HARD COPY! The kind with the cool, cellophane-wrapped cover on it! Just like Carrie's in the movie!
So I got lost in the book, read a lot of it on vacation. It actually felt kinda cool carrying around a library book. Guess what? I'm on the waiting list for another one. Hope it has the cool cover and smells like the imaginations of everyone who read it before me!
And, oh yeah...you can check out five DVDs at a time for FREE! (Just don't return them late; It's $1 a day late fine if you do.) And my other obsession has been books on CD for my drive to work (unfortunately, not at the Beach). And music CDs too!
More about my love affair with the Beaches Branch Library to come.
I was watching an episode (no, I think it was the movie--the first one, didn't see the second--nor did I want to) of "Sex in the City." There's a scene when Carrie's in bed with Big reading. He says something like "Are you the last person in New York still taking out library books?" She answers, "I love the smell..." The book cover crinkles. That scene had been floating around in the back of my mind for quite awhile. I kept picturing her smelling the book & the sound that the pages made when she turned them--quite romantic.
So the next time I heard about a book I wanted to read, instead of buying it, I actually went to the library to see if they had it. They didn't. I had to reserve it. There were a gazillion people on the waiting list, BUT it turns out that there were a ton of copies and my wait wasn't that long. Either got a text message or email when it was available and they held it for me. And it was the HARD COPY! The kind with the cool, cellophane-wrapped cover on it! Just like Carrie's in the movie!
So I got lost in the book, read a lot of it on vacation. It actually felt kinda cool carrying around a library book. Guess what? I'm on the waiting list for another one. Hope it has the cool cover and smells like the imaginations of everyone who read it before me!
And, oh yeah...you can check out five DVDs at a time for FREE! (Just don't return them late; It's $1 a day late fine if you do.) And my other obsession has been books on CD for my drive to work (unfortunately, not at the Beach). And music CDs too!
More about my love affair with the Beaches Branch Library to come.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Blog Creation Day
Here's my plan. Everyone who lives at the beach knows they live in paradise. I know the places I like to eat (like nothing beats Beach Hut for breakfast) but sometimes I just wanna do somethin' new or eat somewhere different. I KNOW I haven't done everything there is to do at the Beach.
But I had a really hard time finding what's out there. So, this is my plan. I'm REALLY gonna get to know the beach and I'm gonna write about it. I'm gonna include links to restaurants, galleries, bars, shops, studios, classes, services--every place I can think of at the beach to Go...Do...See...Eat...Drink...Chill.
Please add your own comments. Comments will only be open for a limited amount of time after a post, so get on there quickly. Rave about something if you love it, but please be kind if you don't. We all have our own likes & dislikes, and the best fish taco you ever tasted just might not be mine~
Oh, yeah. I'm gonna try to keep the random advertising to a minimum, but after all, it's what helps keep the word out there. If you see a link you like, please click on it. There will be a separate section for local ads if you're interested in getting on board. Eventually, I'd like to come up with a comprehensive list of the locals' favs.
Here's to "Going, Doing, Seeing, Eating, Drinking & Chilling!"
But I had a really hard time finding what's out there. So, this is my plan. I'm REALLY gonna get to know the beach and I'm gonna write about it. I'm gonna include links to restaurants, galleries, bars, shops, studios, classes, services--every place I can think of at the beach to Go...Do...See...Eat...Drink...Chill.
Please add your own comments. Comments will only be open for a limited amount of time after a post, so get on there quickly. Rave about something if you love it, but please be kind if you don't. We all have our own likes & dislikes, and the best fish taco you ever tasted just might not be mine~
Oh, yeah. I'm gonna try to keep the random advertising to a minimum, but after all, it's what helps keep the word out there. If you see a link you like, please click on it. There will be a separate section for local ads if you're interested in getting on board. Eventually, I'd like to come up with a comprehensive list of the locals' favs.
Here's to "Going, Doing, Seeing, Eating, Drinking & Chilling!"
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